Coated grit seal for steel strapping

ABSTRACT

A coated grit seal for forming a joint between overlapping strap ends includes a layer of grit particle material disposed on an inner surface of the seal and at least one layer of a coating applied over the grit particle material. The coating prevents loosening of the grit. A method for preventing the loosening of the grit particle material includes applying at least one layer of a coating over the grit particle material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved seal device for strapping that is used to restrain cargo. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel seal for strapping that joins the overlapping ends, securing them in place and preventing the strapping ends from movement.

[0002] In an effort to ensure the stability of cargo and large bundles, during both intermediary and extended transport, a ligature or wrapping of some sort, such as steel strapping, is routinely placed around the load. Contained within a secure wrapping, such as steel strapping, the load is more likely to remain in position during transport to a desired location. Typically, to facilitate the transport and lifting of large bundles, the strapping is made of fabric, wire, metal or plastic and secured by metal seals. These seals join the opposing overlapping ends of the strapping together, and become crimped or flattened forming joints in the seal used to secure and prevent movement of the load.

[0003] Typically, inside the joints of the metal seal is a layer of hard, small grit particles, preferably at least layered in the marginal edge areas or the overlapped end portions of the strapping and between the adjacent surfaces of the strapping end portions so that when the overlapped end portions are secured together, the particles embed into the adjacent face of the strapping ends and hold the ends against relative longitudinal movement. Generally, the particles are a raised texture, which enables the seal to maintain a stronger hold on the straps. Before the implementation of the hard small grit particles on the inside surface of the seal, the strap ends could slide or slip with respect to each other and with respect to the seal, causing the strap to separate and become unsecured.

[0004] One exemplary ligature (e.g., strap) seal is disclosed in Meier, U.S. Pat. No. 3,089,233; an exemplary grit-type seal is disclosed in Young, U.S. Pat. No. 3,237,256, both of which patents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] The problem, however arises when the grit particles in the seal, used in joining and securing the strapping from movement, are jointed by a crimping or flattening tool and the small hard particles become loosened and release into the mechanism of the tool itself. Understandably, the release of these particles can interfere with the internal components of the tool, such as the hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, mechanical linkages, and bearings, resulting in increased wear, and premature failure of these crimping devices. These tools are expensive and therefore the operating cost associated with replacing these tools due to rapid wear is not cost effective.

[0006] Over the years different strategies have been employed to achieve joining devices that secure the straps in place during lifting and transport without the need to expend more money into replacement of joining or crimping tools

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a seal that provides the cost effective results of the grit-type seal, and that reduces the release of the attached grit particles from the seal. Desirably, such a seal prevents the relative movement of the end portions of the strapping, while maintaining secure bundling of the cargo and maintaining its strength during transport and lifting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An improved seal is used to join the overlapping strap ends secured around large bundles of cargo. Particularly, the invention includes the introduction of a metal seal that is coated to prevent the release of particle grit from the inner surface of the seal. Advantageously, the present coated grit seal prevents the grit from contaminating and possibly damaging tools used to secure the seal to the strap to form a joint.

[0009] The seal includes a seal body having inner and outer surfaces, at least one layer of grit particle material disposed on the inner surface of the seal body, and at least one layer of coating material over the grit particle material. The grit particle material can be disposed on the entire inner surface of the seal.

[0010] Alternately, the inner surface of the seal can define marginal end areas on which the grit material and coating material are disposed. That is, the seal defines flanges on opposing lateral sides of the seal and the grit particle material is disposed on the flanges of the seal.

[0011] The coating material can be lacquer, shellac, paint or glue. The coating material can be pigmented or clear. Two layers of the coating material applied over the grit particle material. The grit particle material can be about 40-120 mesh. Preferably, the grit material is about 60-100 mesh.

[0012] A method of preventing grit particles from loosening from the seal includes the step of coating the grit particle material with at least one layer of coating material. The method includes selecting the coating material from lacquer, shellac, paint or glue. The coating material can be pigmented prior to coating.

[0013] The method can include grit particle material being disposed on the entire inner surface of the seal. Alternately, the method can include providing a seal that defines flanges on opposing lateral sides of the seal, and having the grit particle material disposed on the flanges of the seal.

[0014] The method can further include the step of coating the grit particle material with two coats of the coating material

[0015] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strap and the jointed seal, illustrating the overlapping ends of the strapping material and the seal joint embodying the principles of the present invention in which the grit particle material is secured to the strap contacting faces of the seal;

[0018]FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of the seal and overlapping end portions of the ligatures or straps;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the seal showing the grit particle material disposed thereon;

[0020]FIG. 4. illustrates an alternate seal in which the inner surface of the seal similar, at the center portion of the seal wall, is uncovered in grit particle material; and

[0021]FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the seal having grit particles disposed thereon and coating applied thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein.

[0023] Referring now to the figures and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown an improved inner coated grit seal 10 that eliminates the release of grit particles. Advantageously, the seal 10 maintains its strength and effectively secures strapping portions to one another. The seal 10 is provided with an inner seal surface 18 with at least one coated gripping surface. When crimped, the seal 10 distorts the overlapping strap end 20, 22 and prevents the ends of the strap from becoming unsecured from the seal 10.

[0024] In an effort to ensure the stability of cargo and large load bundles that, for example, need to be transported and lifted, such cargo is typically secured by one or more straps. These straps facilitate transport, prevent sifting of the cargo and enable lifting of the cargo from one area to another.

[0025] While smaller (e.g., narrower and lighter gauge) strapping may be sealed to itself in a “seal-less” arrangement, heavier gauge strapping typically require that a seal, formed from a piece of material encircling the strap and crimped thereon, is applied. To this end, the overlapping ends 20, 22 of the strapping material are joined together by the seal 10 to prevent relative movement of the end portions 20, 22 from one another. The seal 10 is preferably a metal member, e.g., steel, however it can be formed from of any material that can withstand crimping and still effectively secure the joined strapping ends 20, 22 in place during lifting and transport.

[0026] With regard to the strapping material, there are several different varieties available that are currently in commercial use. The strapping material for which the present coated grit seal 10 can be used, includes, without limitation: steel, aluminum, fabric and/or plastic. Furthermore, typically the straps can be either treated or untreated, coated, painted, waxed, heat treated and a like.

[0027] A joint 24 is formed by the seal 10 and the overlapped end portions 20, 22 of the strap. The joint is formed by the seal 10 being pressed (e.g., crimped) firmly into engagement with the strap end 20, 22, such that the strap becomes. The above-noted patents to Meier disclosed such a deformed strap configuration.

[0028] To prevent the ends 20, 22 of the strap from separating, the inner surface 18 of the seal 10 which comes in contact with the strapping end 20, 22 has an irregular configuration or character. Typically, the seal inner surface 18 that contacts the strap 20, 22 has affixed thereto granules of a hard material, referred to as grit 26.

[0029] The grit 26 is affixed to the inner surface 18 which provides s high friction environment at the joint 24, securing and preventing the movement of the overlapping strapping ends 20, 22. The grit particles 26 can be disposed on the entire seal inner surface 18 (FIG. 3). Alternately, the seal 10 can define marginal end areas or flanges 14, 16 at lateral opposing sides of the seal 10, and the particles 26 can be applied to the flanges 14, 16 (FIG. 4), allowing the center 12 to be free of grit particles. To this end, when the flanges 14, 16 are secured over the overlapped ends 20, 22, the particles 26 embed into the adjacent faces of the overlapped strapping ends to hold the ends against relative longitudinal movement.

[0030] The grit material 26 is secured to the seal 10 to create a positive gripping of the strap end 20, 22 without tearing the strap, which is essential to the integrity of the joint 24. However, as set forth above, the grit 26 tends to loosen from the seal inner surface 18. This loosened grit can, if introduced into seal-forming tools (e.g., crimping tools), cause excessive wear and possibly failure of the tools.

[0031] A seal 10 in accordance with the present invention greatly reduces and can eliminate the loose grit problem. In the present seal 10, the grit particles 26 are preserved or coated with one or more thin layers of coating, as indicated at 28, over the grit particles 26. The layers of coating 28 may vary from one to as many as five layers, depending on the type of coating used. Preferably, the grit 26 is coated with one or two layers of coating 28.

[0032] The coating 28 over the grit particles 26 can include lacquer, shellac, paint and/or glue, which is preserved over the attached grit particles 26 on the seal inner surface 18. The coating 28 may be clear or pigmented, and may vary in thickness. While it will be recognized that a heavier coating 28 over the grit 26 can effect the penetration and joint efficiency of the seal 10 itself, in cases where a heavier coating 28 is used, a larger grit particle 26 size can eliminate the reduction in joint efficiency and penetration of the seal.

[0033] The grit particle material 26 varies in size. The particle 26 size used in the present invention is one that can be sufficiently preserved to the seal inner surface 18 to prevent the release of the particles 26, while still maintaining the effectiveness of the grit 26 in securing the strapping ends 20, 22 from movement. Preferably, the grit 26 is aluminum oxide having a particle size of about 40 to 120 mesh, and more preferably from about 60 to 100 mesh.

[0034] In a present embodiment, the grit 26 is coated 28 with one or two coats or layers of lacquer. Those skilled in the art will recognize that while the coating 28 “covers” the grit 26, the grit 26 nevertheless “bites” or is forced into the strapping end 20, 22 by the force applied during crimping.

[0035] In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.

[0036] From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A seal for forming a joint between a pair of overlapping strap ends comprising: a seal body, the seal body having an inner surface and an outer surface; at least one layer of grit particle material disposed on the inner surface of the seal body; and at least one layer of coating material over the grit particle material.
 2. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grit particle material is disposed on the entire inner surface of the seal.
 3. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the seal is defines marginal end areas.
 4. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the seal defines flanges on opposing lateral sides of the seal.
 5. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grit particle material is disposed on the flanges of the seal.
 6. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coating material is lacquer, shellac, paint or glue.
 7. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coating material is pigmented.
 8. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coating material is clear.
 9. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grit particle material is about 40-120 mesh.
 10. The seal in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grit material is about 60-100 mesh.
 11. The seal in accordance with claim 1, including two layers of the coating material applied over the grit particle material.
 12. A method of preventing grit particles from loosening from a seal for forming a joint between a pair of strap ends, the seal having an inner surface and an outer surface and at least one layer of grit particle material disposed on the inner surface, comprising the step of: coating the grit particle material with at least one layer of coating material.
 13. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the coating material is selected from a group consisting of lacquer, shellac, paint and glue.
 14. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the coating material is pigmented.
 15. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the coating material is clear.
 16. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the grit particle material is about 40-120 mesh.
 17. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the grit particle material is about 60-100 mesh.
 18. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the grit particle material is disposed on the entire inner surface of the seal.
 19. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the seal defines flanges on opposing lateral sides of the seal, and wherein the grit particle material is disposed on the flanges of the seal.
 20. The method in accordance with claim 12, including the step of coating the grit particle material with two coats of the coating material 